Matt Moore Could Return to Tampa Bay Rays This Week

Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Inflammation in his left elbow has kept Matt Moore on the sidelines for the past three weeks. The Tampa Bay Rays were hoping to have the left-hander back in their rotation by now, but it seems as though they may not have to wait much longer. He threw from flat ground early Sunday and is expected to do more of the same on Monday. He could get on a mound shortly thereafter and could conceivably rejoin the Rays rotation by the end of the week if all goes according to plan.

Joe Smith at the Tampa Bay Times relayed that Moore threw from 75 feet prior to the Rays’ game Sunday. Moore reportedly said that things were “exactly how it’s supposed to feel like”.

Moore made 21 starts for the Rays before landing on the DL, going 14-3 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.228 WHIP over 121.1 IP. It’s been his finest season as a professional to date and couldn’t have come at a better time for Tampa Bay, considering co-ace David Price missed a significant portion of the season to injury. Getting him back and into the rotation will only benefit the Rays as they try to reach the playoffs.

Getting Moore back into the rotation as soon as this weekend might be wishful thinking on the part of the Rays. David Hill at Rays Colored Glasses is ready to jettison Roberto Hernandez to make room, a move that just might happen no later than the end of the month.